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Slipped under the radar, it is easy to forget that Nigeria has been going through one of its most critical humanitarian crises since its existence. Nevertheless, when the issue of Internally Displaced Persons eventually garners the attention it deserves, it becomes highly apparent that routes taken to alleviate such conditions are curtailed time and time again by corrupt Nigerian government agencies.
It is first important to acknowledge the nitty-gritty factual details. As of March 2016, an estimated 2.2 million people have been internally displaced in central and northern Nigeria. Such a high tally of individuals has come about mainly through inter-communal conflict over religious/ethnic differences and ever-severe Boko Haram attacks. While apparent in most northern states, the high IDP density can be attributed mainly to Borno State, which has accumulated up to 1,530,000 displaced people as of March 2016.
The Nigerian government is tasked with the protection and assurance of the optimal wellbeing of individuals kept within these camps, yet with the government unable to fulfill its responsibilities, the reality is quite different.
Investigations into the running of the camps have revealed that the agencies tasked with the dispensation of relief resources i.e. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) steal most of the designated aid for their personal profit. Sooner or later, the aid is either distributed down patronage links or sold openly in communal markets. Companies are contracted with millions of naira to procure food and other necessities for the camps, but its evidence is largely unseen.
In addition to these underhanded practices, the displaced have relayed numerable criticisms of the government which they believe has failed to provide adequate security forces in the midst of terrorist insurgencies. This has led to devastating cases of suicide bombings in the camps like that in the Dalori camp on the 24th of July and that in the Muna Garage camp on the 22nd of October. After already fleeing a region in fear of their lives, these people should have little need to fear again if the government carried out its job properly and put in place adequate measures to ensure their safety.
The evidence is glaringly clear - the realities in the camps just aren’t matching the information the government provides to the public. As the United Nations reports, assistance failed to reach less than half of those in need and basic necessities for the IDPs were significantly underfunded, with the camps also lacking the needed personnel.
Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that the total number of IDPs have reduced over the years. Particularly, through 2015 to 2016, the number of Internally Displaced People has lessened from 2,096,000 people to 1,955,000 people. This can be attributed to the nation’s military efforts against the Boko Haram insurgency.
Irrespective of that, the issue of improving conditions faced by the Internally Displaced in Nigeria needs to be effectively handled by the government. The times of corruption rising at the exp
ense of the citizenry should end and full responsibility should be taken on. It is imperative that the international scene not lose focus over this critical affair and continue to hold the government accountable for its shortcomings. Millions of lives are at stake and it is important we keep the discussion going.
Tamilore is a third year International Relations student at the University of Toronto. Originating from Nigeria, her scope of interest is geared towards global socio-cultural issues and African politics. She is passionate about making a difference by becoming a journalist so she can speak out on matters that deserve to be acknowledged and addressed.
Sources
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/ocha_nigeria_displacement_snapshot_20160305_portrait_0.pdf
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/nigeria-when-aid-goes-missing